Private School Interview & Writing Sample (Chicago/LA) Exam Survival Guide

Use: Almost all independent schools; many Catholic HS scholarships too

Must-do

• Interview: authentic interests, reading habits, teamwork moment, a challenge & what you learned, “why this school.”
• Writing sample: clear thesis/hook, 2 concrete examples, tidy mechanics.
• Parent/guardian statements: mission fit, support plan, student’s traits.

Top traps

• Scripted answers; no curiosity.
• Essays without specifics; weak conclusions.
• Parent statements that read like résumés, not reflections.

Quick checks

• STAR story for challenge (Situation–Task–Action–Result).
• “Why our school?” → name 2 programs/clubs specifically.
• Writing: 5-sentence mini-essay (hook, point 1, point 2, close).
• Mechanics sweep: capitals, commas, subject-verb, neatness.

You will make

• Interview story bank (3 stories: curiosity, teamwork, resilience).
• Question list for the school (academics, arts, service).
• Essay outline frames.
• Parent statement prompt map (values, fit, support).

Last-48h

• 10-min interview rehearsal (eye contact, pace, smile).
• 1 timed writing (12–15 min) → quick edit checklist.
• Print copies of achievements (if allowed).
• Early night; travel plan confirmed.

Speed tactics

• Keep answers concrete (“for example…”).
• If stuck, pause + breathe; ask to return to a question.
• Writing: simple structure beats fancy prose.

Day-of plan

• Arrive 10–15 min early.
• Greet, thank, and ask 2 thoughtful questions.
• Leave with a smile; send a brief thank-you (if appropriate).